Adapted from: NCI Visuals Online (http://visualsonline.cancer.gov/about.cfm)

The most important warning sign for melanoma is a change in a mole or other skin growth, such as a birthmark. Change is also known as evolution.

Evolution of a mole means that there is a change in the size, shape, or color of a mole. Or there may be a change in symptoms, such as how a mole feels (such as how itchy or tender it feels) or what happens on the surface of a mole (especially bleeding).

Be sure to watch for a change in moles or other skin growths.